Independent Films

Sky Train is a 6 minute non-narrative film about Thailand, by Ryan Moser.

Sky Train beautifully uses panning, time-lapse and dreamy cloud sequences that fans of the films in the genre will be familiar with.  But, Ryan has captured the essence of each of his locations in Thailand.  From Bangkok's blurring night lights, scorching midday sunshine, and non-stop traffic, the film progresses nicely to the blue waters  and palm trees of the south.

There are great timelapse, Ron Fricke esque moments when the camera is racing around in a shopping trolley.

Sky Train is a great mixture of the gritty and glitzy side of Thailand.  With the fast paced streets, and claustrophobic soi, whilst avoiding the bland, dreamy tourist-board style panning shots.

The timelapse sequences recorded on foot are a little shaky, but considering the budget, it's still great work.

Well done Ryan.

From Ryan:

"My name is Ryan Moser and I'm a 24 year old filmmaker. I'm an alumni of the Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking and I graduated in 2004. Since then I've gone on to direct numerous short films in numerous genres.

Sky Train was my first non-narrative film and I was inspired to make it after viewing Baraka last summer. I have two feature length screenplays in the works and the concept for a full length non-narrative feature as well. I have a song currently composed and ready to go for the non-narrative project.
 
I'm using the film currently as a demo reel to show my talents as a cinematographer, composer, director and editor. My main source of inspiration was I had not shot a personal and creative project in about a year and I wanted to do something for myself. I also had not spent some real time recording any of my own music so this project made me motivated enough to do that as well.
 
I was in Thailand visiting my friend who is also a film school grad. I borrowed his JVC-GYHD100 camera to shoot it and I edited the film using Final Cut Pro while I was at his house. There was no set budget so it was pretty much me and a camera. All the work in the film is 100% mine from every instrument played in the song to the final color timing that you see on the screen."
 
email: ryanjmoser [at] yahoo.com
 

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This is a short documentary capturing a group photo-blog shoot with a concept of Urban Decay. The location is an abandoned warehouse in Gary, Indiana. We drove down from Chicago very early on a Sunday morning to be safe since the area is shady.

I used a Canon HV20 with Crystal Vision wide lens, Calico Cam stabilizer, and a Manfrotto fluid head on a tripod. None of this video was directed, just capturing the day of events. At the end you might notice all the "junk", it's piles and piles of clothes.

The audio track is Snowflake by TrentMoller.

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Timescape, Alexander Pappas homage to Ron Fricke, released in 2000, 5 minutes.
Timescape is a day in the life of a city. Set in a surreal atmosphere of constant chaos and continuous evolution.
It is the story of humans, and the empire that they have built.

From the Director

"The creation of Timescape was really a two part affair. Firstly, the matter of motion and time in context to daily life was the primary concept for this film.
Secondly was the span I wanted to show this in. From sunrise to sunset.
A span of approximately 12 hours, one working day, was the backdrop of the film because it gives the film purpose. All this chaos and movement .
And then it's all over. The day is gone, the sun has set and all is back to quiet.Read more >>>

360 is a six minute montage of moving images and sounds from around the world, set to music. The images and sounds for 360 were recorded using a consumer DV cam-corder, a stereo mic and a minidisk recorder and it was edited at home on a laptop. If you would like a free DVD or download for any software or hardware media player, or you would like to contact the film-maker, please email hopkinskyle@yahoo.co.uk. Hope you like it. Cheers!

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Bio.Rhythm is a six minute experimental film that examines the rhythms of this world. Our world is composed of a network of elaborate systems; in this case, these systems are expressed through sounds, which create rhythms, composing a "soundtrack" to these systems. The film was nominated by the Motion Picture Sound Editors Association (MPSE) for a "Golden Reel Award" in 2007. If you would like a DVD or higher quality download, please email me at kevin.klauber@usc.edu - Enjoy

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Dead Lonesome is a non-verbal film about ghost towns and the mystique of the western landscape.

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My love of time-lapse photography was born the day I first watched Baraka. More of my sequences can be seen on my website.

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Highway World is a non-visual film from filmaker Martin H. Schmitt. 

From Martin's website:Read more >>>

Time after Time, a film shot in Ireland, North America and Australia that celebrates the great heritage of ancient Celtic, American and Australian peoples. Time after Time is beautifully shot, its style comparable to other films found on this website.  Yet Time after Time has its own theme and style.

Time after Time is a film that highlights the great beauty and diversity of the landscapes and peoples of Ireland, North America and Australia.  The colourful landscapes of each of the countries is captured magnificently in Time after time.  The richness of colours gives a wonderful feel to the film.Read more >>>

Ata Whenua- Shadowlands is a nonverbal film featuring the landscapes of New Zealand.  Shot in the south west corner of New Zealand, known as Fiordland.  Ata Whenua contains images of the landscapes and animals of the region, through a range of seasons and extremes.  The images are beautiful, crystal clear, and set to an impressive soundtrack.

Ata Whenua was created to bring to viewers a rare glimpse of the wilderness of the Fiordland National Park.  Few people get to see this beautiful but remote national park.  The film takes you on a journey, showing you sights you would never normally see.Read more >>>

Aeon is a non-verbal, non commercial film capturing the New Zealand city of Wellington.  Created by Richard Sidey, Aeon primarily uses time lapse cinematography, and is 13 minutes long.  Read more >>>